Decision delayed

Toni cleared to join up with Italy squad

Created on 03-09-2007 at 00:00 AM

Bayern and Italy star Luca Toni is still rated doubtful for the world champions’ crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against beaten World Cup finalists France in Milan on Saturday. The giant striker travelled back to his country of birth on Monday pending a final decision on his fitness to play at the weekend.

Toni reported to Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt for a medical on Monday morning. The Bayern chief medic sent the 30-year-old on his way to Italy bearing the latest MRI scan images of the player’s injured hamstring. Toni will report to the Italy team doctor for a further examination on Tuesday, with the medics expected to confer before deciding whether the goal-getter can play any part on Saturday.

Toni versus Ribery in Milan?

Toni stretched a hamstring in Bayern’s 3-0 home win over Hannover 96 nine days ago and was forced to sit out Sunday’s 1-1 draw in Hamburg. Italy boss Roberto Donadoni still named the former Fiorentina man in his squad for the qualifying showdown.

If Toni is cleared to play at the San Siro he will line up against a Munich team-mate, as Franck Ribery is highly likely to start for France, who top qualifying Group B by two points from the Italians after seven matches.